SPRINT - 11 May 2022 by Sporting Post

Candiese Lenferna

Snaith star Do It Again.- starts all over on Saturday

Do It Again Is Back Nine Hollywoodbets Durban July hopefuls will be in action this weekend, with the majority, including dual past winner Do It Again, lining up in the July preferential consideration race, the WSB Gr2 Cup Trial at Hollywoodbets Greyville on Saturday. The Cup Trial runners include Snaith stablemate Crown Towers, Crimson King, Decorated, Derby Trial winner Litigation and Duncan Howells’ charge Origami. Last year’s WSB 1900 winner, and not amongst the current big race entries, She’s A Keeper will be running on

Saturday in the Listed KRA East Coast Cup over 2000m, where she takes on July entry Lyrical Dance. She’s A Keeper is well weighted and will take a power of beating. Trainer Gareth van Zyl told Gold Circle’s David Thiselton: “She’s doing very well. She had an interrupted prep for the race in Johannesburg and she’s actually come on with that run under the belt. She took her travels very well and she looks well in herself. I’m very happy with the way she is at the moment.”

Van Zyl said he was taking it one step at a time with her at present and wanted to get her back to winning ways before deciding her next step. She does have a tricky draw of eight and carries joint topweight of 61.5kg. Anton Marcus rides. At Turffontein on Sunday, Bingwa and Sovereign Spirit will line up in a Pinnacle Stakes. The Listed East Cape Derby heads the Fairview Friday card. Follow all the big race action on www.sportingpost.co.za

ASSISTANT MANAGEMENT OPPORTUNITY

Ridgemont Highlands seeks a competent individual to assist in the management of their breaking in, pre-training and spelling farm in Wellington. The successful applicant must have experience in the management and handling of horses, as well as strong administrative and staff management skills. Preference will be given to those with experience in pre-training and sales preparation of young horses. Please send a cover letter and résumé, and include three contactable references.

APPLICATIONS CLOSE 18 MAY

EMAIL YOUR CV TO: ross@ridgemont.co.za

Candiese Lenferna

Gwen MacGregor, Brett Crawford and Eric Mpukane enjoy the Zapatillas victory return

Gauteng Raid Succeeds For Crawford Philippi trainer Brett Crawford has a live Hollywoodbets Durban July candidate on his hands after the very talented Zapatillas won a humdinger finish to Saturday’s R400 000 Gr2 World Sports Betting Guineas at Hollywoodbets Greyville. On a high-class day of outstanding quality competitive horseracing, Zapatillas emerged as a

name worth pencilling in over the next few months. He has firmed from 33’s to 20-1 in the Hollywoodbets Durban July ante-post market. Do It Again and Legislate are two Guineas winners in recent times to go on and win the July! Under Louis Mxothwa, the Master Of My Fate colt produced a strong late run which saw him get up in the shadow of the post in an agonizingly close call to deny

the front-running Supreme Warrior victory by a short head – and substitute jockey Calvin Habib what would have been a dream Guineas double. Zapatillas (7-1) got up to beat the front-running Gauteng raider Supreme Warrior (251) by a head in a pedestrian time of 96,79 secs. On a day where the Snaith Racing Team were generally

quiet, Cape Derby winner Pomp And Power (7-2) produced a cracking showing to shade Diadem winner Cosmic Highway (5-2) for third. From a poor draw, Cape Guineas winner Double Superlative (14-1) made serious ground to grab fifth just under a length back. Zapatillas provided Varsfontein Stud’s homebred sire Master Of My Fate with a second G2 World Sports Betting Guineas winner after Twist Of Fate in 2019.

It was a second black type win for Zapatillas, with the promising son of Master Of My Fate also victorious in the Listed #WomenInRacing Sophomore Sprint earlier in the season. Out of the Mogok mare Moggytwoshoes, Zapatillas was a R260 000 buy from the 2020 National Yearling Sale. He has won 3 races with 4 places from 7 starts for stakes of R441 425.

recent Gr3 WSB Variety Club Mile winner Gem King as a graded stakes winning threeyear-old for Master Of My Fate in recent weeks. Zapatillas was one of two winners for Master Of My Fate at Hollywoodbets Greyville on Saturday, with the son of Jet Master also responsible for Colour Master -victorious in the third.

His sire Master Of My Fate has been in excellent form of late, and Zapatillas joins impressive

The Merits ZAPATILLAS has had his merit rating raised from 111 to 118 following his success in the Grade 2 World Sports Betting Guineas over 1600m on the turf course at Hollywoodbets Greyville on Saturday 7 May. The Handicappers were of the view that 6th finisher WATERBERRY LANE made for the most suitable line horse when assessing the race, leaving him unchanged on a rating of 115. The winner’s new rating makes him equal to 3rd placed POMP AND

POWER, who remains on 118 although actually only running to a mark of 117. Runner-up SUPREME WARRIOR had his rating raised from 97 to 117, making him one pound below the winner, while 4th placed COSMIC HIGHWAY has been picked up from 110 to 116. The only other increase was for 7th placed FIFTY FIVER, who goes up from 101 to 109 to make him at least the equal of the 109-rated 8th finisher SUPER EXCITED.

The Handicappers took into account the fact that the first nine finishers were separated by only some three lengths in a race which was run at a somewhat sedate early pace and chose to use a cautious approach when assessing the event. There were no ratings drops for any runners in this race.

Candiese Lenferna

1-2-3-4! Zapatillas (outside) gets up under Louis Mxothwa to beat Supreme Warrior (Calvin Habib), Pomp And Power (Richard Fourie) and Cosmic Highway (Keagan de Melo) in an exciting climax

Varsfontein Stud's perpetual efforts to upgrade the quality of its broodmare band paid off in spectacular fashion, judging by racecourse results over the past week. Master Of My Fate colt Zapatillas became a classic winner with a thrilling, last gasp victory in the Gr2 World Sports Betting Guineas

at Hollywoodbets Greyville, exactly a week after his Gimmethegreenlight juvenile half-brother Shoemaker stretched his record to two from two with an impressive, comefrom-behind victory over a mile at Turffontein. The siblings are out of the stud's Mogok mare Moggytwoshoes, whose R80 000 purchase price is

starting to look exceedingly cheap. As Varsfontein's Susan Rowett recalls: "We purchased her off the fillies for stud session held straight after the 2YO Sale back in 2015. A tough race filly, she was trained by Louis Goosen and although quite hardraced, was in really good condition."

Cover Image Brett Crawford is all smiles after the Gr2 WSB Guineas on Saturday - image courtesy of Candiese Lenferna

‘We purchased her off the fillies for stud session held straight after the 2YO Sale back in 2015. A tough race filly, she was trained by Louis Goosen and although quite hard-raced, was in really good condition’ - Varsfontein's Susan Rowett

Not only was Moggytwoshoes a high quality individual, "one I liked from the beginning," according to the stud's manager Carl de Vos, she was also a five-time winner and had earned small black type when third behind stable companion Negev and SA Oaks winner Ilha Bela in the Listed Syringa Handicap over a mile.

Her attraction further lay in the fact that Varsfontein already owned her close relative, the dual Graded stakes winner Townsend, whose half-brother, the Gr1 Champions Challenge winner Regal Ransom, was sired by former Varsfontein stalwart Caesour. Townsend's dam was Dominion Royale mare Palace Gossip, an eight-time winning sprinter with

a string of Graded and Listed stakes places to her name. She was bred by Avontuur Stud from the winning Tilden mare Island Aloah, as is Dame Of Damascus, the dam of Moggytwoshoes. Avontuur Stud founder, the late Tony Taberer, bred Island Aloah in Zimbabwe from the excellent racemare Island Farewell. By Jamaico, this

Zapatillas’ dam Moggytwoshoes in action nine-time winner burned up the Zimbabwean racetracks, claiming the Zimbabwe Oaks and a pair of Guineas. While Townsend was first to add to the family fortunes - she produced Gr1 Gold Medallion winner Eden Roc - it hasn't taken long for Varsfontein's purchase of Moggytwoshoes to be vindicated.

Zapatillas is her second foal and it speaks volumes that at the recent National Sale, his yearling full brother was snapped up by Mike de Kock, the trainer of Shoemaker. Zapatillas joins the admirable Twist Of Fate as his sire's second winner of this Gr2 Classic and likewise, will be in the hunt for Gr1 glory. The latter went on to finish third in the July, which is also a target

for the Crawford-trained colt. From what we have seen of Shoemaker, he too, shapes like a potential black type winner. Varsfontein meanwhile will be hoping lightning strikes again, as Moggytwoshoes has become a regular consort to Master Of My Fate. She produced a filly to him last spring and is once again in foal to the son of Jet Master.

JC Photos

BRETT’S RISING SON 14 James Crawford & Kabelo Matsunyane after Divine Dynasty won at Turffontein on Sunday

When James Crawford arrived at Randjesfontein eight months ago to set up a satellite yard for the Brett Crawford Racing Team, he couldn’t have dreamt things would have turned out as well as they have done to date. “I have been around the stables since a toddler in the days that Dad still worked for Mr Dennis Drier and Mrs Plattner and have learnt plenty from him. And when I got to Joburg I shadowed Mike de Kock who guided me on the unique traits of the local conditions – the tracks, for example, are different to what we are used to,” explains the 22 year old, whose biggest win came on Saturday at Hollywoodbets Greyville. “Zapatillas was sent to the farm after his top-class third behind Universal in the Listed Politician Stakes. And then he came to me for preparation for the SA Champions Season. We sent him down to Durban last Friday and he is back ‘home’ already and looking a million dollars,” adds James after the son of Master Of My Fate stormed up late to win a humdinger finish to Saturday’s R400 000 Gr2 World Sports Betting Guineas. James chats with modest pride about what is a

singularly impressive training feat for a 22 year old. “We had given Zapatillas the work and he really was in fine fettle. He hadn’t raced for over 3 months but I felt that he had to have a big chance. The draw is all important at Hollywoodbets Greyville – and he was well slotted at 6. Louis Mxothwa also knows him well and he rode a peach of a race. It’s a pleasing win in many respects. Look at the quality of the opposition - we had the Gr1 Cape Guineas and Gr1 Cape Derby winner behind us. And Zapatillas is looking for further. So it’s very exciting!” When asked if the Daily News is next on the horizon for the Hollywoodbets Durban July entry who has firmed from 33-1 to 20-1 for the big one on 2 July, James is quick to point out that Dad Brett makes the final calls. “While I do my own noms and scratchings from here, Dad will be talking to the owners and looking at the options. A decision will be made on that. We always have a plan with an end goal in mind, “ he says. James, who is single and focussed on his career, says that the idea of a Randjesfontein satellite yard came about with the intention to offer a broader and more diverse option for their Capebased string.

“It also gives me a great opportunity to show my mettle and learn the ropes, while have my Dad and Mike de Kock to lean on when I need some advice. But more importantly, we are providing our owners with alternative options for horses who may not be suited to conditions down South – both in terms of the programming options and the climate. That said, Philippi has the best track in South Africa, in my opinion.” James explains that Mike de Kock has given him great insight into aerobic and anaerobic exercise for his equine athletes. And the general work regimen is quite different in Gauteng. “At home in Cape Town, due to the depth of the sand we do a lot of 800m work. But here, working them for a mile is not unusual. I have seen light framed horses put on condition up here after a lot of work. The tracks are much lighter.” He says he has a great team, with only Zapatillas’ Groom Eric Mpukane from the original Crawford operation in the Cape. As far as jockey support with work-riding goes, he singles out Kabelo Matsunyane as particularly hardworking.

“My philosophy is – if the jockey rides work, we give him the chances on raceday. Kabelo has ridden all of my winners – bar Louis Mxothwa in the Gr2 on Saturday.” James has trained 9 winners in short time but realises he has massive shoes in which to walk. His Dad was born in Zimbabwe on 7 September 1971. Once he left school he served as a stable employee to Brian Muscutt, Neil Bruss and Shane Rankin in Zimbabwe. At the age of 19 Brett left Zimbabwe and moved to

Johannesburg in 1989 where he joined the Mike de Kock yard. In 1991 he moved to Cape Town and became assistant trainer to Peter Muscutt, running the satellite yard for 2 months in Port Elizabeth with great success. In 1993 Brett moved to Eric Sands where he stayed for 4 years and had the pleasure of working with one of South Africa’s best sprinters in Flobayou. In 1997, Brett had the opportunity to move to Durban through a strong job offer from the racing legend Dennis Drier. Aftera rewarding four and a half years with Dennis, Brett developed in many ways

and learnt fundamentals in mastering the art of training a thoroughbred. In 2001 he became Private Trainer to Mrs Sabine Plattner. In the 8 years with the team, Brett produced 30 Graded winners, including 7 at Gr1 level. “I intend making a career of training and I am fortunate to have been given this great start. My goal is to chase Dad’s great Gr1 record, no matter how long it takes me,” laughs James.

MJ puts another subject on the spot! 18 Silver Operator wins under a driving ride by Richard Fourie – the second placed Russian Rock is out of the picture

Candiese Lenferna

KLAWERVLEI 1-2 IN DRILL HALL THRILLER MJ puts another subject on the spot! 19

A visitor these days in his former home province, Milnerton master Vaughan Marshall got his 2022 SA Champions Season campaign off on a winning note when Richard Fourie rode a cracker to get Silver Operator home in a 1-2 for Klawervlei Stud in the R400 000 Independent On Saturday Gr2 Drill Hall Stakes. A traditional launch-pad for the Hollywoodbets Durban July, the 1400m feature was run at a solid gallop as expected, with Dean Kannemeyer’s runner-up Russian Rock doing best of the July entry trio that included Jet Dark and Linebacker. But the trophy and the moment belong to the 5yo

Silver Operator (6-1), a winner of the Listed Jet Master Stakes on Cape Derby day, who showed the benefit of a recent run under the belt, when he bounced forward down the inside under a left-handed ride from the top-class Fourie to hold off Russian Rock (8-1) by a neck in a thriller. The winner clocked 82,41 secs for the 1400m. Paul Peter’s Smorgasboard (61) was always in the firing line and stayed on well for third a further two lengths back. The tote favourite Captain Fontane moved up late but had nothing to come and finished downfield.

Silver Operator was purchased off the 2018 Cape Thoroughbred Sales April Yearling Sale for R700 000. Bred by Klawervlei Stud, the winner is a son of deceased multiple champion Silvano (Lomitas) out of the thricewinning Captain Al mare, Sting Operation. A winner of 6 races with 7 places from 21 starts, Silver Operator has banked R760 950. So the SA Champions Season is underway!

Drawn wide, Jet Dark was lagging behind and stayed on for 4,65 lengths behind, with Linebacker 6,45 lengths back.

Fourie Fined Is it time for the crop rules to be amended to allow connections to actually object against whip contraventions? How can it be just that a jockey can win a Gr2 race by a narrow margin, striking his mount 17 times? The rule says 12 strikes are the maximum. His opposition stuck to the rules and lost! In a similar incident in the Gr1 Premiers Champions Challenge recently, jockey JP van der Merwe won the race on Astrix after being fined a hefty R15 000

for striking the gelding on consecutive strides. On Saturday Drill Hall Stakes winning jockey Richard Fourie signed an admission of guilt for a contravention of Rule 58.10.2, read in conjunction M, in that he mis-used his crop by striking Silver Operator more than 12 times in the entire race. In assessing the penalty, the Board considered the number of times (17) Jockey R Fourie struck his mount, the distance over which and manner in which he used20 his crop, the fact that he won the race and

his record (0) in relation to this Rule. Accordingly, a penalty of a fine of R2500 was imposed. Fourie signed an admission of guilt for a contravention of Rule 58.10.2, in that as the rider of Silver Operator, he used his crop more than three times on consecutive strides in the concluding stages. Accordingly, a penalty of a fine of R1000 was imposed.

The Merits SILVER OPERATOR remains unchanged on a rating of 119 following his win in the Gr2 Independent On Saturday Drill Hall Stakes over 1400m at Hollywoodbets Greyville on Saturday. The Handicappers were of the view that SILVER

OPERATOR himself made for the most suitable line horse when assessing this event, hence his unchanged rating. There were ratings increases also for 2nd placed RUSSIAN ROCK, who is up slightly from 117 to 118, and for 3rd placed SMORGASBORD, who is up from 110 to 118. 21

Three horses received a ratings drop. PEARL OF ASIA is down from 119 to 117, IKIGAI drops to 108 from 110, and lastly ULTRA MAGNUS is down from 116 to 114.

Candiese Lenferna

22 Calvin Habib and Under Your Spell surge to victory

SIMPLY SPELLBOUND! 23

In a race run at almost six seconds outside the course record, Calvin Habib produced a polished and cucumber cool ride to get the favourite Under Your Spell home to win the R350 000 Gr2 World Sports Betting Fillies Guineas at Hollywoodbets Greyville on Saturday.

Stakes at Turffontein just a fortnight ago, she scythed through late at 8-10 off a slow pace to beat the game and consistent Supreme Quest (72) by three quarters of a length in a time of 98,29 secs. Glen Kotzen’s Kailene (14-1) loomed dangerously late and ran a cracker in third, just over a length off the runner-up.

A Summerhill bred daughter of Capetown Noir (Western Winter) out of the unraced Irish-bred mare Deceptive Charm (Kingmambo), Under Your Spell is from the same family as the accomplished Witchcraft, who Tarry trained to win over a trip – so who knows how far she may yet go?

A daughter of Capetown Noir, Under Your Spell won the Gr1 Allan Robertson Championship as a 2yo and has proven her ability over a bit of ground.

Clearly the highest-rated filly in a quality field, Under Your Spell was a popular winner. Her victory was a training feat by Sean Tarry, who produced her sparkling fresh off a testing Gr1 effort two weeks ago and a road trip from the Highveld.

Under Your Spell made it 6 wins with 5 places from 12 starts and stakes of R1 076 125.

Coming off an outstanding and challenging second to the year older Princess Calla in the Gr1 HSH Princess Charlene Empress Club

Tarry bought Under Your Spell as part of a parcel of horses online and unseen.

The Merits UNDER YOUR SPELL remains unchanged on a rating of 119 following her victory in the World Sports Betting Fillies Guineas over 1600m at Hollywoodbets Greyville on Saturday. Here it was the ever-consistent runner-up SUPREME QUEST who was used as the line horse, which leaves

her unchanged on a rating of 108. In assessing the race this way, UNDER YOUR SPELL only runs to a mark of 110, hence her unaltered rating.

DARLING, who goes up from 90 to 105 to keep her in line with the 2nd and 3rd finishers, and lastly for 5th placed BON VIVANT, who was raised from 95 to 100.

There were ratings increases also for 3rd placed Kailene, who is up slightly from 105 to 106, for 4th placed SILVER

There were no ratings drops for any runner in this race.

Candiese Lenferna

25 Winning jockey Calvin Habib and his wife Shandre, who surprised him by turning up at Hollywoodbets Greyville on Saturday

Candiese Lenferna

Under Your Spell returns with Calvin Habib

KINGMAMBO IN AFRICA When Under Your Spell (Capetown Noir) captured Saturday's Gr2 World Sports Betting Fillies Guineas, she underlined the merit of her very well bred dam Deceptive Charm. A daughter of outstanding sire and broodmare sire Kingmambo, Deceptive Charm (whose dam String Quartet was a full-sister to successful former Cape sire Casey Tibbs) has bred six winners headed by Gr1 Allan Robertson Championship winner Under Your Spell, dual Gr3 Track And Ball Oaks

winner Witchcraft (Kahal) and the Gr3 placed In Cahoots (Visionaire).

Parade Leader also ranks as the damsire of champion filly Anything Goes.

Deceptive Charm's sire Kingmambo has certainly made his presence felt in South Africa, both as a broodmare sire and sire of sires.

Kingmambo, sire of more than 80 stakes, was also represented in on this country's racetracks by speedy filly Kelly's Olympics, a four time winner who ran third in the 2005 Gr3 Southern Cross Stakes.

His graded stakes winning son Parade Leader rleft behind champion Laverna and fellow Gr1 winners Pierre Jourdan and Rudra, and, like Kingmambo, also featured as the broodmare sire of a KZN Fillies Guineas winner in the form of Alexis (Dynasty).

Directly descended in female line from the influential US mare Exclusive, Kelly's Olympics enjoyed more success at stud than on the track -with her five black

type performers headed by the graded stakes winners Olympic Owen (Jay Peg) and Speedy Suzy (Trippi). Kingmambo, whose halfbrother Judpot is the sire of this season's Gr1 World Sports Betting Presents The Gauteng Summer Cup winner Flying Carpet, also came up with another successful South African broodmare in the form of Peace Bell -dam of Gr3 Umzimkhulu Stakes winner One Fine Day (Trippi) as well as the smart Sound Of Summer (Silvano), while his blue blooded daughter Moon Dazzle is not only dam of Gr2 Track And Ball Oaks winner Moon In June (Twice Over) but also granddam of the dual stakes winner Call To Account (Captain Al). His son Ideal World has enjoyed consistent success since retiring to stud in South Africa, with his notable offspring including Equus Champions Hermoso Mundo and Smart Call as well as the country's reigning Horse Of The Year Rainbow Bridge. Other sire sons of Kingmambo to have left behind stakes winners in South Africa are Ashaawes and Malhub, while the likes of Archipenko and Henrythenavigator were both responsible for siring stakes winners in the country.

Former Gr1 Queen Elizabeth II Cup winner Archipenko, from just a handful of local representatives, came up with Gr2 winning stayer Kingston Mines and Aquanaut Handicap winner Royal Honour , while the overall disappointing 2000 Guineas winner Henrythenavigator was responsible for Gr2 Betting World 1900 winner Ten Gun Salute. Kingmambo is also broodmare sire of the deceased champion Duke Of Marmalade -whose near 50 stakes winners include this season's Wilgerbosdrift Triple Tiara winner Rain In Holland, as well as this season's high-class two-yearold We're Jamming. Duke Of Marmalade is also broodmare sire of Friday's tote +Chester Cup winner Cleveland (Camelot). Duke Of Marmalade was produced by the Kingmambo mare Love Me True -a mare closely related to Gr1 Travers Stakes runner up Mambo In Seattle. The latter made his presence felt in South Africa due to his talented daughter Same Jurisdiction, who accounted for some outstanding fillies when victorious in the 2014 Gr1 Thekwini Stakes and 2015 G1 Jonsson Workwear Garden Province Stakes respectively. Ironically Kingmambo's granddaughter Same Jurisdiction beat another

granddaughter of Kingmambo in the form of champion Smart Call when the pair finished first and second respectively in the 2015 Garden Province Stakes. Kingmambo's champion son Lemon Drop Kid (a close relative of both Duke Of Marmalade and Mambo In Seattle) could also be poised to make his mark in South Africa. The former Gr1 Belmont Stakes winner is broodmare sire of Gr1 Old Forester Bourbon Turf Classic Stakes winner Digital Age (Invincible Spirit) -who is set to stand his first season at stud in South Africa this year. Click here to watch Kingmambo win the 1993 St James Palace Stakes

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53 STAND GROUND FOR AFRICA’S GREATEST

30 July Champ Kommet – A Rest Then Ready To Race!

Candiese Lenferna

At first declaration stage on Monday morning, 53 entrants remained in the hunt for R5 million Gr1 Hollywoodbets Durban July glory. With only eight weeks until the R5 million Hollywoodbets Durban July, Cape star Kommetdieding will have a short break at five star accommodation before going straight into the great race on 2 July. After pulling up fatigued after what many felt was a disappointing performance in last Saturday’s TAB Gr1 Premier’s Champions Challenge up North, Kommetdieding has been

shipped down to the East Coast for his prime goal of the season – a defence of his July crown. Trainer Michelle Rix, who has done a superb job with the popular colt over three provinces, told the Sporting Post that her flagbearer arrived in KwaZulu-Natal on Friday morning and will be enjoying a break at the beautiful Precentor Place before taking his place in the pinnacle event of the SA Champions Season. The son of Elusive Fort is currently 10-1 joint favourite alongside Linebacker and Sparkling Water in the Hollywoodbets Durban July ante-post betting market.

Gold Circle reported that Kommetdieding was greeted on Friday morning by his trainer Michelle Rix and hosts Jodi and Sue Pieters of Precentor Place. The colt looked full of beans, enjoyed a good roll and stretched his legs, having travelled very well from Johannesburg with New Turf Carriers. “He is fit and I intend to have him at Precentor Place for 10-12 days before we go into prep for the Hollywoodbets Durban July,” said Michelle. See the 53 Hollywoodbets Durban July entries here.

JC Photos

Naval Guard saunters home under Warren Kennedy

NAVAL GUARD: DARK HORSE AT 33-1? Paul Peter’s low-key Hollywoodbets Durban July entry Naval Guard registered the fourth win of his career at Turffontein on Saturday, and now boasts a rating of 90. After those runs the Riethuiskraal bred son of Elusive Fort was gelded and given a seven-month break. He made his comeback on New Year’s Day, and it marked the start of a promising career.

Racing over 1400m at Turffontein, he was well supported in the betting, opening at 6-1 and going off at 2-1. He won easily and followed up with two places— over 1450m and 1500m respectively. Then trainer Paul Peter pushed him up to 2000m and that saw the four-year-old son of Elusive Fort raise his game to another level. He won that race in a canter by 2.25 lengths and in his next outing scored an even

easier 4.10-length victory over 1800m. On Sunday he won an MR 92 Handicap over 2000m on the Turffontein Standside track with ease. Please click here for the Hollywoodbets Durban July ante-post betting.

‘So we still don’t know why 4Racing dissed the SA Champions Seasoner opener for a carryover boost on Saturday. And why would they ignore the Hollywoodbets Scottsville four Gr1 speed spectacular on 4 June…?’

ALL OUT TO FLOOR RACING? It’s been a rough week for new operator 4Racing. Last Thursday’s probably well intended back-to-the-wall stakeholder engagement at Kenilworth Racecourse left more questions than answers and ended up with a lengthy explanatory letter. The letter to stakeholders also raises further questions – see the communication here. Then the reason why a midweek meeting at Fairview would benefit with a carryover ahead of Saturday’s SA Champions Season launch meeting was raised by SP reader George Croucher over the weekend. Read George Croucher’s thoughts here TAB issued a press release in response thereto:

One of the Eastern Cape’s major racedays takes place at Fairview in Port Elizabeth this Friday 13 May and the TAB Pick 6 pool on the meeting will be boosted by a R500 000 carryover. The R350 000 World Sports Betting East Cape Derby, a Listed event over 2400m, headlines the meeting and is supported by the Listed Dahlia Plate for two-year-olds and seven other races. It was decided to allocate a Pick 6 carryover to this Friday, not only to drive TAB betting pools on the meeting but also in recognition of the area’s contribution to TAB’s carryover reserves. There will be a R1-million Pick 6 carryover on the Daily News 2000 race meeting at Hollywoodbets Greyville on Saturday 28 May.

It is also provisionally planned to offer a Pick 6 carryover between R1-million and R2-million on the Hollywoodbets Durban July meeting on Saturday 2 July, and a R1-million Pick 6 carryover to the Champions Cup meeting at Hollywoodbets Greyville on Saturday 30 July. So we still don’t know why 4Racing dissed the SA Champions Seasoner opener on Saturday. And why would they ignore the Hollywoodbets Scottsville four Gr1 speed spectacular on 4 June?

53 YEARS ON – JOEY CURED BY RACING 240 MJ puts another subject on the spot! 38 Joey Soma (right) was still smiling at the Summer Cup draw last year – Neil Andrews enjoys the banter

Troy Finch

MJ puts another subject on the spot! 39

After 53 years of being a ‘punterholic’, Gauteng Gr1 winning trainer Joey Soma contacted the Sporting Post on Saturday afternoon to say that he is positive that he has now officially been ‘cured’ by Racing 240. “No punterholic really wants to be cured, believe me. But this lot have just done it,” quipped Soma, who is one of a few attendees of last week’s National Yearling Sale currently believed to be down with covid.

“After 53 years of punting, I couldn’t believe what we were exposed to this afternoon. I was watching Dstv channel 240 and eagerly waiting to see the IOS Drill Hall Stakes runners in the parade. Instead we were provided with Borrowdale and views of the course. Don’t get me wrong. We want to support all racing, but how do they restrict proper viewer access to a leading Gr2 event and give us minor races instead?” Soma said that he was not sure whether it was a conscious decision or incompetence that

had led to SA racing’s prime season and the unofficial Hollywoodbets Durban July starter race, the IOS Drill Hall Stakes preliminaries, appearing to be mostly ignored. “You know, we complain. I read the SP comments. I see the responses. But what do we believe? And what changes? Absolutely nothing! Racing is in trouble and nobody seems to give a damn. I have relied on this game for a living forever. I have not earned a salary.

But the salaried guys need to wake up. And now I have had enough. I’m not punting on the tote. If I ran my business like this I wouldn’t last a week. I wonder how many other punters have called it a day? The turnovers tell a story!” The Sporting Post wrote to

the powers-that-be recording Mr Soma’s frustrations. We asked if it was a conscious decision to curtail the KZN feature exposure or whether it was incompetence by the Producer on duty.

not providing a balanced coverage in terms of the Hollywoodbets Greyville racemeeting versus that of the Borrowdale meeting, Racing 240 Chief Stephen Watson has issued a statement.

In response to Joey Soma’s suggestion that 4Racing were

Stephen Watson Doesn’t Agree Zoning in on the five hours of Racing 240 coverage on all racing jurisdictions that were covered from 12h00 to 17h00 (five hours) on Saturday, 80% was dedicated to ensure racing in Kwazulu Natal had all the necessary comprehensive coverage to enable punters and viewers to make calculative decisions, prior to each race.

For all races at Hollywoodbets Greyville, we showed as much as possible of parade ring, canter past, previews, live race and post race interviews. In some cases, to ensure continuous coverage of the KZN post race interviews, we removed the sound from our international racing coverage and carried this footage in our split screen to ensure KZN racing the best coverage possible.

Reviewing the channel recordings of the said coverage of the Gr1 Castle Tankard raceday, the operator cut away from Borrowdale immediately after the race, not showing replays or post race interviews from Zimbabwe, to ensure full coverage of the canter past, trot down, loading, race and post-race interviews of the IOS Drill Hall Stakes.

MJ puts another subject on the spot! Sherman and his wife Danielle

Airlift Drama At Vaal

Jockey Sherman Brown was airlifted from the Vaal on Tuesday after his mount Crown Plaza appeared to clip heels around the 50 m marker in the seventh race. The 47 year old was admitted to the Alberton Hospital with spinal and rib fractures. Crown Plaza was a replacement ride. Tex Lerena confirmed that he had chatted to Brown. “I chatted to Sherman earlier this evening. He is waiting for the CT scan results and will be staying in overnight for observation. He is in good spirits – we wish him a speedy recovery!” added the former jockey. A decision was made to airlift

Brown when his blood pressure started dropping and he lost feeling in his hands.

has extensive international experience and was Mauritian Champion in 2008.

Dawie Oosthuizen, who was the treating paramedic for Netcare, said that Brown was very stable and was airlifted to Alberton Hospital as a precaution for further investigation and management.

Nick-named ‘Bouncer Brown’ and ‘Computer Man’, he is married to former jockey Danielle McCreedy. The couple have a daughter, Addison.

“He presented with a palpable abnormality/deformity to the spine, motor and sensory intact. The concern arose when his blood pressure started to deteriorate and this suggested that there might be neuro involvement,” he added. Awarded his Springbok colours during the 2011 International Jockey’s Challenge, the Zimbabwean-born Brown

Sherman Brown attended the SA Jockey Academy in the same year as Craig du Plooy, David Carstens and Robert Sweetman. He rode his first winner on Save Ten for Herman Brown Snr at Hollywoodbets Scottsville on 11 September 1993. The Sporting Post and readers wish Sherman a speedy recovery.

Ten Overjoyed Winners!

Excellent timing ahead of Mother’s Day on Sunday, a new car, likely proposals of marriage, and other lifechanging moments!

Those were the sum of the joyful and sometimes shock reaction of the ten winning players in Saturday’s R500 000 Hollywoodbets Punters’ Challenge, after they had selected six of the nine winners and banked R50 000 each on a champagne afternoon of high-class racing.

The Hollywoodbets Punters’ Challenge is a popular freeto-enter competition run on all KZN racemeetings.

with the ten winners each selecting a variety of a total of six winners on the nine-race card.

A progressive jackpot of R2 million was offered on the SA Champions Season launch meeting on Saturday 7 May, and to mark the big season milestone, South Africa’s leading sportsbook operator Hollywoodbets offered a mustbe-won prize of R500 000.

When the Sporting Post contacted the winners, some had already seen the R50 000 credit in their Hollywoodbets accounts – others had not. But they were unanimous in welcoming the cash windfall and were thrilled.

There were 15 252 players that entered the competition, 44

A lucky first-time contestant, Fred plays under the pseudonym of Foxtrot56

and is resident in an oldage home in Brixton, Johannesburg. “I have never played the competition before today. But this time I thought I’d give it a go. I so truly need the money – but the problem is the old ladies are all going to want to marry me now,” he laughed. A 69 year old pensioner, Whillywho, who lives in Gqeberha, told his wife on Friday that he was going to play and was thrilled to hear about the windfall. He said that he was going into the branch to draw it out on Sunday. “In the second last race I had the winner and I changed it to another horse. So I could

have been one winner. But that’s a hard luck story and history. I am so happy for all the guys who won. That R50 000 is just like the R500 000 for a humble family like ours! This news has made my day, my year, my everything,” he added. Unemployed Arj336, who lives in Midrand, didn’t know he had won the R50 000. “I have been playing forever. I love the challenge. I am a small punter. I am over the moon,” he said. Eric, a 57 year old resident of Grassy Park in the Cape, summoned his family around the call. “You are joking with me! I live with my sister – let me call the family. I love horseracing – I

am going to buy myself a new car. Thanks to Hollywoodbets. Thanks to you all,” he shouted. The VIP lives in Kraaifontein in the Northern Suburbs of Cape Town. At the age of 54, he says that he has been punting for 35 years and has his own ‘system’. “Thanks – this is really good news as I am going on leave. I used my system but got a little confused with the 400m Dash. I wasn’t sure whether it was included. I think I went with Singforafa. But it’s really wonderful and I intend to keep playing the Hollywoodbets Punters’ Challenge!” he enthused.

Luven1 is a 39 year old from Shallcross. “It’s wonderful thanks. We never get back what we put into the game. But I am thrilled! I will be taking the family out for a Mother’s Day lunch now.” Durban-based 60 year old Zibo told us that he had been ‘playing forever’.

“Well let’s put it this way I have been punting since 1985. I have probably lost more than I have won. But I have had great entertainment for 37 years. I can tell you one thing – this is the biggest win I’ve ever had in all my life,” he said happily. The 42 year old Spurs1327 of Chatsworth has been punting for most of his adult life. He

was very happy to check his balance on his Hollywoodbets account. Congratulations to all the big winners – see the Hollywoodbets Punters’ Challenge website for more.

MJ puts another subject on the spot! 48 Gold Standard breaks the ice as his son Star Coin (JP van der Merwe) charges home at the Vaal on Tuesday to beat Kill Shot (Denis Schwarz)

JC Photos

STAR COIN SETS THE STANDARD MJ puts another subject on the spot! 49

Drakenstein Stud resident Gold Standard marked his first winner when his twoyear-old son Star Coin won the first race at the Vaal on Tuesday afternoon. Trained by Alec Laird, the gelding had finished third to subsequent Gr2 4Racing SA Fillies Nursery winner Maharanee last time out and he built on that effort with a convincing win on Tuesday. Under JP Van Der Merwe, Star Coin stayed on smartly to land the #ThisIsRacing Welcomes You Maiden Juvenile Plate over 1400m in good style by half a length in a time of 85,09 secs. Star Coin, who races for Messrs G A Basel, W Volschenk & Canine Solutions CC (Nom: Mr D C O'Driscoll), clearly enjoyed the step up in trip and he should build on

this win. Bred by Varsfontein Stud, Star Coin was a R200 000 buy from the 2021 National Yearling Sale.

The earner of nearly R1 000 000 in prize money, Gold Standard is a son of Drakenstein’s inform champion sire Trippi.

His sire Gold Standard has now had four runners from his first crop to either win or finish in the money.

Sire of 85 stakes winners, and counting, Trippi’s current flagbearers include dual G1 L’Ormarins Queen’s Plate winner Jet Dark, and fellow graded stakes winners Amanzimtoti, Sound Of Warning and Trip Of Fortune.

Gold Standard was one of the best horses of his generation, winning the Gr2 Selangor Cup and finishing second in the Gr1 Cape Guineas at three. Among the notable scalps claimed by Gold Standard during his racing career were those of champion Edict Of Nantes, G1 Cape Guineas winner William Longsword, high-class Hong Kong performer Singapore Sling, and July winning champion Marinaresco.

Trippi, whose progeny have earned in excess of $63 million in prize money, also ranks as the broodmare sire of two top-class US stallions in the form of Liam’s Map and Not This Time respectively. The regally bred Gold Standard is out of Olympic Dam - a daughter of champions Model Man and Olympic Duel.

Global Team Horseracing

MJ puts another subject on the spot! Backed by the UK’s Super Six Racing Limited, GTH will add four more races to the Gold Circle 2022 calendar and add R3,5mn in additional stakes

GLOBAL HORSE RACING SERIES FOR DURBAN DEBUT • Four nights of actionpacked racing at the Hollywood Greyville racecourse in August 2022

Durban South Africa in August and September 2022.

It was recently announced that the Super Six Series that ran last year, is now back as Global Team Horse Racing (GTH), only this time it will be bigger and better than before!

Since the partnership between GTH and Gold Circle, who manage the Hollywoodbets Greyville racecourse, has been established, Gold Circle has added four night meetings to the official racing calendar as follows:

WHEN is this happening?

• 5 August 2022

The worldwide premier of the GTH series will take place in

• 12 August 2022

• 19 August 2022 • 2 September 2022 WHO is behind it all? GTH Racing is backed by Super Six Racing Limited, a UK-registered business, who are comprised of a handful of ardent racing supporters, who have long believed that horse racing needs rejuvenation. Over the years, they have tested and trialled innovative

approaches with a view to broadening the appeal of horse racing to meet the action seeking expectations of new audiences, something that fits into the audiences’ time constraints and matches reduced attention spans. The South African component of GTH racing is led by Angus Campbell, who with his team, has done exhaustive research and spent considerable time putting the local program together.

HOW is it financed?

event series in South Africa.

The seed funding that was sourced in 2020 was used to extensively trial the new team-based racing format throughout 2021. After refining the experience, which was done by hosting multiple live trial rehearsals, a final full-scale trial was held at Hollywoodbets Greyville in November 2021.

“We are about to experience the culmination of years of planning and trials come to fruition,” says Angus Campbell.

The innovative approach of this form of racing and its appeal to newcomers to the racing world resulted in a successful event and secured the next round of funding required to stage a full

“The opportunity to introduce the grand sport of horse racing to a broader audience in a condensed team format, is something that we have dreamed of for a long time.”

Churchill Downs MJ puts another subject on the spot! Rich Strike scores a massive victory

A RICH STRIKE!

Trainer Eric Reed registered his first Gr1 victory when Rich Strike (Keen Ice-Gold Strike, by Smart Strike) won the Gr1 Kentucky Derby over the past weekend.

time, and I’ve had some really nice horses. And we knew what we had. I’m not telling you

by any means we knew we had a Derby winner… (but) we knew we had a horse

Rich Strike, who paid anywhere between 250-1 and 80-1 depending on the bookie, only made the field the day before the race and was only the second stakes winner for his trainer. “Small trainer, small rider, small stable,” Reed said. “He should have been 80-1. But I’ve been around a long

MJ puts another subject on the spot!

that was capable of running good.” The Reed stable suffered a barn fire in 2016 that claimed the lives of 23 of their horses, and now they have a Triple Crown contender, who was purchased from a claiming race for only US$30,000. MJ puts another subject on the spot! Churchill Downs after a race, so I know we haven’t gotten to the bottom of him.”

Rich Strike won two of his eight starts, including placing in the Gr3 Jeff Ruby Steaks Stakes a month prior to the Derby. Churchill Downs

He will now go towards the second leg, the Gr1 Preakness Stakes on 21 May. “He looks great right now. He was bright-eyed after the race when I got over here. He was in there eating. He seems really good this morning,” Reed said. “Every time we’ve run him, he’s gained weight

MJ puts another subject on the spot! 56

Churchill Downs MJ puts another subject on the spot!

HANDLE THIS! After returning to normal following two years of pandemic-impacted business, the 148th edition of the Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve race, day, and week established a number of wagering records. Topping the achievements, all-sources betting on the May 7 Kentucky Derby card at Churchill Downs reached $273.8 million, a 17% increase over last year's $233 million and a 9% bump over the previous record of $250.9 million from 2019.

After the conclusion of Saturday's card, Louisvillebased Churchill Downs Inc. reported strong business results for Kentucky Derby week—the cornerstone of the gambling company's racing division. Derby week handle also set a record at $391.8 million, up 25% from last year's $314.6 million and up 14% over the previous record of $343 million in 2019. Betting on this year's 20-horse Derby race totaled $179 million, up 15% from last year's $155.4 million—a 19-horse edition— and up 8% over the previous

record of $166.5 million in 2019. Churchill noted this year's wagering included $8.3 million wagered in Japan as Japan-trained Crown Pride finished 13th in the race. Combined all-sources handle of $348.4 million reported for both the Longines Kentucky Oaksand Derby days is a record as well, bettering the prior record of $311.1 million in 2019.

Churchill Downs MJ puts another subject on the spot! 58

MJ puts another subject on the spot!

CTS FARM SALE CATALOGUE ONLINE The 2022 CTS Farm Yearling Sale will be held on Sunday, 19 June at a new venue, Kenilworth Racecourse, four days after this year’s CTS Farm Sale Race to be run at the same venue. The CTS Mare and Weanling Sale will be held on Friday, 24 June. Grant Knowles, MD of CTS, confirmed that 105 quality entries had been received for the Farm Yearling Sale. “The Catalogue is available online, and hard copies will be available later this week.”

Graduates of the 2022 Sale will qualify for the three sales races scheduled for 2023. They will be staged in three centres, and the stake for each race will be a minimum of R200,000. This will enable buyers from upcountry to participate with their runners in their respective home centres. Despite being a relatively young sale on the South African thoroughbred industry calendar, the Farm Sale has already produced its fair share of stars - notable past graduates include 2021 Durban July and 2022 Cape Met winner Kommetdieding (a R55,000 buy), Equus Champions Edict

Of Nantes (winner of the Gr1 Cape Derby), and the now successful and sought-after stallion, Captain Of All, sire of another Gr1 Cape Derby and Gr1 Daily News winner, Linebacker. One of the notable graduates of the 2021 Sale is recent Gr3 Cape Nursery winner We’re Jamming, who was snapped up for only R15,000 by trainer Piet Steyn and has already earned R226,000 after just four starts. He has subsequently been sold to Snaith Racing for an undisclosed amount. Please click here to read the catalogue

Aidan O'Brien is all set to fire

O’Brien Is Set And Ready! The Cazoo Derby at Epsom is less than three weeks away and Irish Champion trainer Aidan O’Brien has his yard in fine fettle – a 30% winning strike rate over the last fortnight including victories in all four Derby ‘Trials’ last week.

A record-extending ninth win in the Epsom Classic looks a strong possibility with O’Brien stating he plans to saddle six runners on the 4th of June. The yard has four of the top six in the ante-post betting, excluding the original favourite Luxembourg who was

withdrawn from the race due to injury. Changingoftheguard kicked off a wonderful week when a wide-margin winner of the Chester Vase on Wednesday and 24 hours later Star Of India landed the Dee Stakes at the same venue.

Ryan Moore, successful on the two at Chester than guided United Nations to a comfortable victory of the Derby Trial at Lingfield on Saturday. However, it was the performance of Stone Age in the Gr3 Derby Trial at Leopardstown on Sunday which impressed O'Brien the most. The dark bay has now established himself as the Ballydoyle number one after an emphatic front running victory at Leopardstown in a race O’Brien has always targeted for his main Epsom contenders.

ground he ran on all the way to the line as well. If you look at what happened to these horses in their races [at two], you can always see there is much better to come.” "Leopardstown is a big, open galloping track. At Chester the horses were turning, it's a different test to Leopardstown. It's hard not to be impressed with Stone Age. You'd like to have something to have led him, but there was no point in messing him about.”

In his post-race comments O’Brien declared himself delighted at the progress and improvement his colt had shown from two to three.

"Ryan let him bowl along as he had a lot of experience at two and he was happy to get a lead at two. He'd have learned a lot last year. We were running him and teaching him. He learned a lot in those races. I'd imagine Ryan will find it hard not to ride him [at Epsom]."

"No, he didn't really surprise me," O'Brien said of Stone Age's explosive Leopardstown performance. "We always thought he was a very high-class horse.

O’Brien certainly doesn’t seem to think the Derby will be easily won, but his four main contenders are all by Galileo, so he knows they won't shy away from the challenge.

"If you look back at his runs, the day he was beaten in the Group race at Leopardstown he was staying on all the way to the line. In France over a mile and a quarter on soft

"You saw them in their trials, their heads down. As you push them, they get lower. Star Of India nearly starts crawling. He won't stop. Most horses come up, they don't. They go down

on their knees for you, it's very unusual." Bluegrass, could be the fifth Galileo runner for Ballydoyle at Epsom depending on how he fares at York on Thursday in the Gr2 Dante. He takes on some high-class English challenges headed by the Stoute trained favourite, Desert Crown and Magisterial from the Gosden stable. Completing the potential Derby team for O’Brien is the Australia colt, Point Lonsdale who could go straight there after his disappointing 2,000 Guineas tenth behind Coroebus.

results up to: 2022-05-11

TRAINERS Name

Runs 917 965 675 406 959

Mr P A Peter Mr S J Snaith Mr S G Tarry Mr M F de Kock Mr G D Smith

Wins Win%

2nd

3rd

Other Places Place %

178 121 85 75 104

117 114 72 59 101

98 125 73 45 96

194 209 126 79 160

19.4. 12.5 12.6 18.5 10.8

409 448 271 183 357

Win Stake (R)

Total Stakes (R)

44.6 13,511,438 18,617,313 46.4 9,109,025 13,931,675 40.1 8,063,500 11,847,063 45.1 6,577,438 9,749,750 37.2 4,598,438 7,167,788

JOCKEYS Name

Rides Wins Win%

2nd

3rd

Other Places Place %

Mr W B Kennedy Mr R D Fourie Mr K de Melo Mr S Khumalo Mr M A Yeni

1328 790 858 862 1105

203 132 127 100 139

180 110 98 94 127

251 166 192 176 235

221 146 139 135 120

16.6 18.5 16.2 15.7 10.9

634 408 417 370 501

Win Stake (R)

Total Stakes (R)

47.7 12,721,625 19,638,325 51.6 12,259,675 16,430,313 48.6 8,779,575 13,747,275 42.9 9,613,138 14,272,900 45.3 7,166,813 11,985,438

BREEDERS Name

B.T. B.T. Total Runrs Runs AEPR Wnrs Wins Winrs/ Places Winrs Wins Stakes (R) Rnrs %

Wilgerbosdri� & Mauritzfontein Klawervlei Stud Drakenstein Stud (Nom: Mrs G A Rupert) Maine Chance Farms (Pty) Ltd Summerhill Stud (Pty) Ltd

279 1420 334 1744

67,907 131 194 50,466 127 169

151 141 137

85,505 72,974 58,888

757 719 826

65 104 62 97 46 71

47 568 38 672

13 7

18 10

18,946,013 16,855,725

43 327 44 301 33.6 285

13 6 4

17 8 5

12,911,225 10,289,288 8,067,663

B.T. Wins

Total Stakes (R)

SIRES Name Vercingetorix What A Winter Master Of My Fate Gimmethegreenlight (AUS) * Silvano (GER)

Runrs Runs AEPR 143 175 179 175 147

750 907 996 888 717

85,551 60,176 58,551 59,779 70,214

B.T. Wnrs Wins Winrs/ Places Winrs Rnrs % 78 78 88 75 65

110 124 126 103 100

54.5 44.6 49.2 42.9 44.2

319 395 442 369 302

See all the detailed standings - Click here 67

12 5 2 8 8

16 5 3 9 11

12,233,800 10,530,750 10,480,700 10,461,400 10,321,388

THE BIG ONES BANG HEADS 69

Three months after Liverpool’s penalty shootout victory over Chelsea in the EFL Cup final, these two proud English sides once again have business to attend to at Wembley stadium. It is the 2022 edition of the FA Cup, one of the biggest occasions on the English calendar and here’s to hoping we can cash in. Ryan Liberty asks, can Chelsea upset the odds and once again lift a cup under their German boss? You simply have to have a bet placed for this one, so let me look to guide you in the right direction. Chelsea vs Liverpool | Saturday 14 May | Wembley Stadium | 17h45 To Win (90 mins) Chelsea 51/20 Draw 5/2 Liverpool 21/20 To Lift the Cup Chelsea 27/20 Liverpool 11/20 Chelsea The media has reported that one of the more expensive deals in sports history is set to be completed. Chelsea have confirmed that the sale of the club is expected to be finalized in late May. Thomas

Tuchel remarked that the Todd Boehly deal was good news but assured us all that his side required no ‘extra motivation’ given their now horrid run of winless games. Third time the charm for the Blues? Chelsea have impressively made it to the final of the FA Cup for the third straight season. They have lost their previous two finals to Arsenal and Leicester respectively…but with Tuchel now at the helm, there will be many in London who are quietly confident. So, now that I have set the scene… Chelsea does not exactly come into this game with incredible gusto and confidence but underestimate them at your peril. Tuchel has lost just twice in cup competitions this season (results in 90 minutes) and he has played 21! The man is a genius, tactically astute and he has world-class players available for selection. Timo Werner and Romelu Lukaku have not enjoyed a flavourful season, but the strength – both physical and mental – and the potential of these players are able to cause any teams issues in front of goal. I mean, beating Real Madrid at the Bernabeu is seemingly not for everyone… Chelsea route to the final: 3rd Round: 5-1 Vs. Chesterfield

4th Round: 2-1 Vs. Plymouth Argyle 5th Round: 3-2 Vs. Luton Town Quarter Finals: 2-0 Vs. Middlesbrough Semi Finals: 2-0 Vs. Crystal Palace Liverpool As the Premier League race reaches its climax, only time can tell how damaging Liverpool’s more recent results will be. You cannot help but admire how resolute Jurgen Klopp is in his approach and style. Liverpool is an attacking football side – but to say that seems too simple and almost disrespectful…in that it just fails to give credence to the depth of their play. Luis Diaz has been brilliant. He must be amongst the best late signings in Premier League history! It is not common that a player comes into the league and almost instantly dominates their role – and this is certainly not a ‘farmers league’. My only concern is whether Liverpool can creatively play around teams that are able to withstand their flurries of attacks. I know that might sound superficial given their recent draw against Spurs,

but humour me…

Liverpool route to the final:

Against Atletico Madrid this season the Reds were only able to turn the screw and put both encounters to bed after a red card. I am not suggesting they were not in the ascendency, or that their result was due to the cards being shown – I am just of the opinion that Klopp’s hatred for teams who set up this way is inextricably linked to how his side are seemingly always uncomfortable in those situations. Liverpool much prefer a side who are happy to have a go and leave space to be exploited.

3rd Round: 4-1 Vs. Shrewsbury

Nevertheless, as much as it has taken me a couple minutes to just type this sentence out…Liverpool is amongst the very best, if not the best team in Europe at the moment. They should fancy their chances here.

4th Round: 3-1 Vs. Cardiff City 5th Round: 2-1 Vs. Norwich Quarter Finals: 1-0 Vs. Nottingham Forest Semi Finals: 3-2 Vs. Manchester City Prediction: Draw in 90 minutes (5/2) I know what you’re thinking, but before we rush off, hear me out. Chelsea’s cup record under Thomas Tuchel is incredible. The German has not even been at Stamford Bridge for 18 months, and already seen his side qualify for five finals. Importantly, this is all Chelsea must play for this season. Victory at Wembley could drastically change the colour and mood at the Bridge. They cannot win anything else.

I must be honest and say that I am intrigued to see the team Jurgen Klopp picks for this game. They are competing on multiple fronts, so whether we want to admit it or not, there simply has to be an order of preference and priority… Klopp hasn’t exactly always shown the FA Cup the most respect before. However, Klopp has a far superior squad depth to his German compatriot and even with rotation I think Liverpool can field an incredible side. I think this game ends in a draw, a repeat of the EFL Cup final earlier this season. And as such the 5/2 market is good enough to invest in!